Table Mountain

When we arrived at Table Mountain we were a little worried because there was a huge cloud over the mountain. Since the weather is pretty unpredictable in June, we considered taking the cable car up to the top since climbing to the top is dangerous when the rocks are slippery. Luckily, we chose to climb the mountain instead and we not only got to enjoy a beautiful hike, but we also made it to the top of the mountain before the people who arrived at the same time as us, but chose to wait in line for the cable car.

It was about a two hour hike to the top. We took the path right behind the cable car station which goes straight up for about 20 minutes, levels off into switchbacks for about an hour, and then a final 40 minute push straight up to the top.

I conquered Table Mountain!

If you look left of the small mountain, near the water, you can see the Green Point Stadium.

Another gorgeous view of Cape Town

All over the city, there were signs encouraging tourists to go online to vote for Table Mountain as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. While I agree that it is a must see/must do climb and it is, by far, the largest table-like formation I have ever seen, wonder of the natural world? I think not.

FORÇA!!!

Green Point Stadium: it rained most of the game, but only the players got wet during the game.

Our seats were pretty high up, but right at mid field.

My first Bud Heavy in two years and it is at the game in Cape Town?!?!?! Seriously? I will admit, it tasted pretty good. The lady at the concession stand would not give me the bottle cap (plastic) for my beer or my water. People must throw them into the field? Weird.

The beginning of the North Korea scramble. When the game started, we all thought it was going to be a normal game. Zero to one, maybe two to one, if we were lucky.

Portugal won 7 - 0!!!! Força!!! After the first half, I would have told you that Cristiano Ronaldo was a lazy, not as attractive as everyone thinks he is player, BUT after rolling the ball off the back of his neck and scoring, I re-evaluated the situation and have determined he is definitely still on the list of my top ten favorite footballers.

The earplugs were for the Vuvuzelas which are not nearly as annoying as they sound on tv. By the end of the week, I was pretty fond of the South African tradition.

Bring on the headache

Fairview Winery: our first (and my favorite) stop on our wine tour.

We met a lot of Americans during the wine tour, including Jess who was staying with us at our hostel. When I walked in the door of the hostel, the guy working the desk congratulated me on being the second girl to walk into the hostel since the World Cup started (Jess was the first). Throughout our stay in Cape Town, I saw more Americans than I have seen since living in Africa. Cheering for the USA during the Algeria game with all of the people we had met, was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me.

I learned a lot of interesting things on the wine tour. . . but cannot seem to remember any of them. Oops.

The first winery we visited is known not only for their wine, but also their varieties of goat cheese. Yum.

We also visited a Cheetah reserve.

CAPE TOWN

After the worst bus ride of my life (after living here, that is saying A LOT), we (Courtney, Colin, and I) met our guardian angel, Gloria. Our bus ride from Maputo to Johannesburg was so cold that I could not feel my fingers or my toes or my arms or my legs. As soon as I got my bag, I put on every single piece of clothing I had with me, but was still miserable. Gloria, our angel, saw the three of us huddled in a corner and invited us into to her space heater heated office and made us a cup of tea. If you are ever in the bus station, in one of the roughest areas in Johannesburg, look for Gloria in the tourist information booth. She is truly one of the kindest people I have ever met.

After hanging out with Gloria for about 8 hours we boarded the Shosholoza Meyl train and left for Cape Town. During the 27 hour long train ride we saw everything from mountains, to what Court and Colin swear looks just like eastern California, to vineyards. Needless to say, South Africa is beautiful.

The DEVELOPED WORLD!!!! Looking at Table Mountain and the interesting cloud formation which the Green Point Stadium was modeled after.

The Fan Walk on a normal day. On game day, the street is blocked off and filled with thousands of crazy fans making their way towards the stadium.

The Waterfront where the big tourist trap mall is located. We went to a movie (SATC 2), ate Subway, and window shopped.

TIA IV

Another surprise houseguest...

Gato do Matu

(wild cat)

According to wikipedia, Genets can be house trained and kept as pets. Not sure how Simba and Cooper would feel about that, but Simon (yes, I named him) is really cute.